Category: WGOM Headlines
Wish for a full moon in Philly
October 8th, 2008, 7 Comments
I've got my fingers crossed that Manny fake-moons the crowd in the NLCS. Then Joe Buck can join in the massive disdain party that Tim McCarver is throwing. Heads will explode!
Love is the Law
October 6th, 2008, 4 Comments
What's more ridiculous, the shots Kevin Love makes in this video, or the "reporter"??
Are The Hold Steady done playing this season, too?
October 4th, 2008, 2 Comments
Tad Kubler's illness cancels European tour.
San Franciscans Choke on their Syrah
October 3rd, 2008, No Comments
No, seriously. Chilean vino Palin Syrah suddenly on the ropes in SF wine bar.
North Berkeley importer praises the wine for being "full bodied."
Missed opportunity?
October 3rd, 2008, 2 Comments
Shaun Livingston is on his way back to the NBA, having signed with Miami.
"It came down to Miami and Minnesota," said Livingston's agent, Henry Thomas, who also represents Wade. "And he was more comfortable there."
There was a guy who had a shot at being great. I hope he can get back to being a [...]
The Other New Yankee Stadium
October 2nd, 2008, No Comments
In the words of S. R. Hadden, why build one when you can have two at twice the price?
Does she give good ground strokes with that?
October 1st, 2008, No Comments
Indecent proposal? Pfft. A mere $10,000 buys you a night with Maria Sharapova!
I wonder how much to play doubles with her and Anna Kournikova?
If at first you don’t succeed, test, test again!
October 1st, 2008, No Comments
I love the French. Cheese, wine, foie gras, truffle-sniffing pigs, chicks with hairy armpits. But you would think that a nation that made an art form out of surrendering would eventually give up on trying to catch Lance Armstrong in a drug test.
Not a-political, but worth noting: It’s Banned Books Week
October 1st, 2008, No Comments
I thought it was worth mentioning, now that I've noticed. We are in the midst of the American Library Association's Banned Books Week.
Celebrate by reading something subversive.
Cool Hand Luke, Gone
September 27th, 2008, 9 Comments
Paul Newman, great American actor, dead at 83.
Another Dog Bites Man Story
September 26th, 2008, 1 Comment
Are you ready for this? Report: workers spend 25% of work time goofing around online.
Naturally, I found this at work.
Bait and Switch
September 26th, 2008, No Comments
This is a teensy bit political, sorta kinda. Vermont governor James Douglas was named a fishing 'villain' by Field & Stream recently. His crime:
The Vermont trout opener reportedly found the governor on the river and in front of cameras — flipping his hook back to a Fish & Wildlife official, who dutifully baited it for [...]
Ishtar Nearly Avoided
September 25th, 2008, 1 Comment
I had no idea that Robert Wagner was such a nutjob.
Dr. Lizardo seeks funding for Oscillating Overthruster development
September 24th, 2008, 4 Comments
Watch out for Red Lectroids now that the Chinese Say They're Building 'Impossible' Space Drive.
Dog Bites Man News Daily
September 24th, 2008, 1 Comment
It may come as a shock, but many ex-NFL players suffer from brain damage. Hopefully, this research project will develop the knowledge base about the long-term effects of concussions. Even more hopefully, it will lead the NFL, NCAA and high school/youth football programs to be more proactive about preventing brain injuries.
Have I mentioned lately how [...]
Goodbye, Wally
September 23rd, 2008, No Comments
Another hero of my youth is gone. Quiet Vikings stud Wally Hilgenberg dies at 66.
He, Roy Winston and Jeff Siemon were a formidable trio at LB for some great Vikings teams.
Let’s Just Go Ahead and Ruin this Kid
September 23rd, 2008, 10 Comments
It's back to school for Blaine senior after suspension over box cutter
In suspending Richard, administrators invoked the school's zero-tolerance weapons policy and recommended to the school board that he be expelled.
However, late Monday the six-member board voted 5-1 that despite the policy, Richard can return to school, but will be on probation until Nov. 10, [...]
Built for the road ahead
September 22nd, 2008, 4 Comments
but apparently not for the roads we actually drive.
How the hell do these geniuses figure that there wouldn't be a market for this car in the US?
Mozart: Death is no bar to writing music
September 21st, 2008, 3 Comments
Yet another new piece of Mozart music discovered in France. This guy is practically L. Ron Hubbard the way he seems to pump stuff out long after death.
The work, described as the preliminary draft of a musical composition, was found by a library in Nantes in western France as staff were going through its [...]
Fuckhead Calls Kettle Black
September 18th, 2008, 5 Comments
Schilling: Manny's behavior disrespected Francona, role players.
I'm not here to defend Manny Ramirez. I'm only here to point out that Schilling basically stole $8 million from the Red Sox this year, signing a contract when he was absolutely hurt.
Schilling acknowledged that it was awkward for him to speak out on Ramirez, given [...]
Kelly Bundy fights back
September 17th, 2008, 8 Comments
She's back after some serious cancer. But I guess she'll have to move on to serious drama roles now that her two greatest assets are gone.
Seriously, I appreciated her work as Kelly Bundy. She was a charmingly effective ditz. I hope her recovery continues to be strong.
This Aggression Will Not Stand, Maaaan!
September 16th, 2008, No Comments
It should come as no surprise to a Nation of baseball fans commenting on game logs during work that men are immature slackers.
Drawing Comparisons
September 15th, 2008, No Comments
The boss will whack me if this is too political, but I thought this piece on Drawing the V.P. Candidates was fun and informative without being partisan.
Gone to the Great Gig in the Sky
September 15th, 2008, 9 Comments
Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright Dead at 65. Shine on.
And You Thought Baseball Fans Were Superstitious
September 15th, 2008, 7 Comments
Must be the Season of the Witch. (Probably shouldn't be joking about this, but WTF?!!)
Something for the Ice Queen
September 12th, 2008, 2 Comments
It was either this or YASPS (Yet Another Sarah P. Story).
I figured this was in better taste.
There’s a Joke in Here Somewhere
September 12th, 2008, 3 Comments
Dad chases nude boy from daughter's room with pipe. Apparently, the boy had been sneaking into the daughter's room for a year without the father's knowledge. It appears the father laid some pipe to the pipe layer.
The Greening of America
September 11th, 2008, No Comments
I'm turning over a new leaf. Happy stories! Following on the recent news about green polar bears -- it's green puppies!
Pigs wearing lipstick
September 10th, 2008, 24 Comments
More of the same from the "liberal media"? You make the call.
The First Hot Rodder?
September 10th, 2008, No Comments
So, a moose-hunting hockey mom for veep and a drifter for First Lady? Too Hip to Quit.
Questions for Palin: ADN Editorial
September 10th, 2008, 5 Comments
Questions for Sarah Palin that the Anchorage Daily News would like her to answer.
How to govern
September 10th, 2008, 1 Comment
Apparently, the Governator hasn't really made common cause with his fellow republicans in the CA legislature, since he has yet to learn their names.
[note: not part of the cited article, but this is a quote from an email alert I received from the SacBee about the story] After the vote, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger met separately [...]
Zorb this way
September 9th, 2008, No Comments
Well, yea, Monta Ellis is an idiot. But this does not compare to "falling while washing your truck".
Kobe bristles at recovery time, opts to not have surgery
September 9th, 2008, 3 Comments
I don't know about this. Kobe is going to play the season with damaged ligaments in his pinkie finger, an injury he suffered last season. I think I'd have gone straight from Beijing to the scalpel.
A Per Diem to Nowhere
September 9th, 2008, 8 Comments
Hrrm. Sarah Palin may have supported the Bridge to Nowhere before she opposed it, but she seems not to have had a problem with milking the state government for per diem expenses.
It’s got a chemical in the chicken that makes you crave it in the fortnight.
September 9th, 2008, 7 Comments
KFCs secret recipe, under guard, moved from headquarters temporarily for security upgrade.
Don Haskins is Dead
September 9th, 2008, No Comments
Trail-blazing college basketball coach became the first to start five African-American players. In doing so, he led Texas Western to the NCAA Championship over all-white Kentucky in 1966. He also changed the game forever.
Bissinger on Bonds
September 5th, 2008, No Comments
He hates bloggers, but he's got a real point here on Bonds. One of my old colleagues told me relative to the Bonds indictment that the Feds usually win. I've thought that the case is iffy at best and it's possible Bonds walks. Regardless, it seems like a waste of taxpayer money [...]
On second thought, maybe that Mario Chalmers trade wasn’t so bad
September 5th, 2008, 1 Comment
Apparently, Mario Chalmers is an idiot. And David Stern is pissed at him. That's not a good place to be, Mario.
Dial Duck for service
September 4th, 2008, 2 Comments
Apparently, the postal service takes its independence seriously, as they are branching out a bit with their marketing efforts.
Facing His Problems Like a Man
September 3rd, 2008, 1 Comment
You gotta respect Tatum Bell. He's not taking unemployment lying down.
Clean Sweep or Greenwash?
September 2nd, 2008, No Comments
Does Clean Coal Technology matter? Maybe. buuuuUUUuuuut:
I have yet to see a serious challenge to the math on this done by Vaclav Smil of the University of Manitoba, who has noted that handling just 10 percent of today’s carbon dioxide emissions would require more pipelines and other equipment than is now used worldwide to extract [...]
Cash and Carry
August 29th, 2008, No Comments
Another day, another Robert Mugabe is a nutjob story. Or mebbe he's enlisted Kirsty Coventry to launder his wealth out of the country.
Chad Ocho Cinco
August 29th, 2008, 5 Comments
From Fanhouse:
Per my [Will Brinson] conversation with the Broward County Clerk of Superior Court this morning, the name change for "Chad Johnson" that was filed on August 8, 2008 became official on August 28, 2008
The part of me that enjoys sticking it to The Man is elated.
A surprise from McCain?
August 29th, 2008, 100 Comments
Who would have ever thought that McCain would toss away conventional options who stood by the Republican party for years for the excitement of a younger, hotter woman?
Bitchslapped
August 28th, 2008, 4 Comments
O.J. Simpson's daughter pushes the former running back around.
Cops rushed to Simpson's Florida home after daughter Arnelle knocked him to the ground.
"Arnelle had a fight with [Simpon's girlfriend Christie Prody] over Christie's behavior. That's what started the whole thing," a source told the newspaper. "Christie has some problems with drinking, and Arnelle got mad. O.J. [...]
Lighten up, already!
August 27th, 2008, 1 Comment
No, I'm not counseling Statfreak to take a Xanax before the next game -- although that might be good for his heart I'm talking light beers that I would actually drink. Session beers for everyone!!!!
How many times must a man look up Before he can see the sky?
August 27th, 2008, 8 Comments
The answer may be blowing in the wind, but the Power Grid ain't up to it.
The U.S. electrical grid is Not In Good Shape. And it's gonna take billions to fix it.
The grid’s limitations are putting a damper on such projects already. Gabriel Alonso, chief development officer of Horizon Wind Energy, the company [...]
U Freshmen post lowest reported ACTs in conference
August 27th, 2008, 3 Comments
Link. If you've listened to Sid Hartmann in the past he's always moaned about how the U has such stringent academic standards that they can't get kids to come here and play football. That was laughable, of course, but Timmy B. has really got something to be proud of. Last in the [...]
The LPGA Sucks
August 26th, 2008, 21 Comments
This is absolutely ridiculous. Apparently threatened by the influx of Asian players, the LPGA Tour will reportedly suspend memberships if players don't learn English. That's just assinine. Women's leagues provided opportunities for women athletes and now this stupid-assed group wants to limit access to people who don't speak English? Only one [...]
Dad to be jailed 30 days for killing son while hunting
August 26th, 2008, 3 Comments
You might have remembered hearing about this story when it happened. Turns out the father had been drinking, smoking marijuana, trespassing, and hunting without a license. What an ass.
Why We Fail
August 25th, 2008, 8 Comments
The Freddy Adu of baseball has arrived but they won't let him play anymore.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP)—Nine-year-old Jericho Scott is a good baseball player— too good, it turns out.
The right-hander has a fastball that tops out at about 40 mph. He throws so hard that the Youth Baseball League of New Haven told his coach [...]
What Ubelmann is really doing instead of the WGOM
August 25th, 2008, No Comments
Now the true story can be told.
Twins Trade Piece of Meat for Eddie Guardado
August 25th, 2008, 33 Comments
Twins send Hamburger to Texas for Everyday Eddie.
The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have acquired lefthanded pitcher Eddie Guardado from the Texas Rangers in exchange for righthanded pitcher Mark Hamburger.
Guardado, 37, was 3-3, 3.65 ERA (49.1 ip, 20 er) and converted all four of his save opportunities in 55 appearances for the Rangers this [...]
Remember to Pull Over to Use Cell Phone, Because Operating a Motor Vehicle and a Cell Phone Simultaneously is Dangerous
August 25th, 2008, 6 Comments
Wheelie-popping motorcyclist tops 150 mph, pauses to use cell phone.
I Don’t Care
August 25th, 2008, 10 Comments
I have never watched this show and I never will, unless I am under extreme duress. Express your apathy here regarding FOX's decision to add a fourth "judge" to American Idol.
The Hall of Fail
August 24th, 2008, 3 Comments
Nicky Punto (2007), David McCarty (1993) and Jim Deshaies (1994) are first-ballot electees to the inaugural class of Page 2's list of the worst seasons ever by franchise.
Punto's and McCarty's seasons were true Hacking Mass legends, but Deshaies's year was nothing to sneeze at: a 7.39 ERA and 30 HRs allowed in 130 innings. [...]
Walk This Way
August 22nd, 2008, 2 Comments
A Delta Airlines flight approaching an airport soaked by Tropical Storm Fay was delayed by four catfish that walked onto the runway..
They were impressive, but you shoulda seen the one that ran away.
Silicon Sisters
August 22nd, 2008, No Comments
The kids in the Silicon and Wafer Price Index are forecasting a big drop in solar silicon prices next year. Looks like the future is so bright we'll have to wear shades.
Gadd-zooks!
August 21st, 2008, No Comments
Hey! Can we stop playing that pedophilia anthem at sporting events now that Gary Glitter is out of the Vietnamese pokey?
Gene Upshaw is Dead
August 21st, 2008, 6 Comments
Hall of Fame football player and longtime NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw has died.
Upshaw, 63, had been fighting pancreatic cancer.
Someone legislators can look up to
August 20th, 2008, No Comments
From dunking basketballs to dunking heads: 7'2" former UCLA and NBA center Ralph Drollinger now ministers to legislators. I wonder how often he gets told to "stuff it"??
Move Over, Phelps
August 20th, 2008, 15 Comments
Usain Bolt has won both the 100 meters and the 200 meters, both in World Record time. Man, he took down Michael Johnson's insane 19.32, going 19.30. He beat the silver medalist by over a half second. Unbelievable!
JoePos to SI.com
August 20th, 2008, 14 Comments
Joe Posnanski has an announcement to make:
Starting next week, Sportsllustrated.com — si.com, for short — will be reprinting this blog. Don’t even ask how that happened. And, even more thrilling, starting next week I will write one column a week for the Sports Illustrated dot-com — I believe it will appear on Wednesdays.
Like of one [...]
Locus Pocus
August 19th, 2008, No Comments
Steven Levitt freakonoms about DNA evidence today. Phun with statistics.
Suuuuure it’s a “sport”!
August 19th, 2008, 1 Comment
The Spanish synchronized swimming team has been panned [err, banned] from wearing their suits equipped with flashing lights in competition. Way to stand up for athletic integrity, IOC dudes. I mean sure, sequins, glitter and makeup practically shout "competitive athlete," whereas flashing lights might make people think of a striptease act or summat.
Borzi finds “grumbling” in Twins’ Clubhouse about Mr. Smith
August 18th, 2008, 17 Comments
Is it just me or does Borzi paint a pretty unflattering picture of neophyte GM Bill Smith? Overwhelmed? Not words I like to hear. I don't recall if any of our esteemed beat writers painted a picture of a clubhouse disappointed over the lack of a move. Then again, maybe I missed that.
Link
LATimes: Michael Phelps is not the greatest Olympic athlete in history
August 15th, 2008, 16 Comments
Carl Lewis is. You heard it here first.
Paging Top Jimmy
August 15th, 2008, No Comments
Minnesotan excels in bad writing contest.
Globally acclaimed bad writer Russ Winter of southern Minnesota says he keeps up on current events and just goes "in a strange direction ... jotting down and taking a look at it. Then, the more you look at it, the worse it gets."
With that recipe, Winter won for himself [...]
Local Billionaire Ponies up Cash for Obama
August 15th, 2008, 2 Comments
In what can only be described as a surprise to me, Twins owner Carl Pohlad
has been backing presumptive Democratic candidate for president Barack Obama.
Pohlad, the banker, investor and Twins owner, and his family have contributed or bundled as much as $217,000 for Obama, Politico reported.
Overall, guys like Pohlad tend to back Republicans. I wonder [...]
Heeeeeere’s Donny! Trump to buy Ed McMahon’s house
August 15th, 2008, No Comments
Facing foreclosure, McMahon is bailed out by Mr. Trump.
McMahon, 85, was facing foreclosure within two weeks on his Beverly Hills home of 18 years. The aging television icon, who was Johnny Carson's sidekick for three decades, defaulted on $4.8 million in mortgage loans with Countrywide Financial Corp. He said in interviews that he was unable [...]
Knick Fans Thankful that Woody Allen isn’t the GM
August 14th, 2008, 3 Comments
At the end of his interview with The Onion's Scott Tobias, the Wood-man weighs in on the post-Zeke era of his favorite NBA team.
A workmanlike team that wins games is not necessarily a team that is fun to watch. What I'd like the Knicks to develop into is a team that's fun and that's [...]
MLB To Revisit Blackout Rules?
August 14th, 2008, 7 Comments
Bob DuPay, MLB's president and chief operating officer, wants to look at the league's broadcast blackout rules. The current rules were written back in the 1960s before cable, satellite, and internet TV. The new rules could be in place as early as the 2009 season. From DuPay:
If a market is underserved and a club is [...]
Man fined $1,500 for possessing stuffed Lynx
August 12th, 2008, 2 Comments
I'm not a huge fan of the WNBA, but this clearly goes over the line. Can you believe the fine was only $1,500? Link
Will Stick Throw Up? Maybe.
August 12th, 2008, 14 Comments
The player A-B comparisons to Gomez probably don't look so hot right now, but I doubt there's anyone in the WGOM readership who'd want to be reading about his exploits everyday. I wouldn't mind that RH bat in the line-up though. Link
Oh, no — not the Jimmy Kimmel factor.
August 12th, 2008, 2 Comments
I've despised Jay Leno ever since the whole Letterman kerfuffle. This could surely add some gas to my own personal fire. However, there is a sliver lining to this dark cloud, as found in the recent ratings and viewing habits for Nightline. 'Nightline' at risk if Leno jumps to ABC.
Something tells me this marriage isn’t going to last
August 12th, 2008, 1 Comment
Groom charged with being too near bride at wedding.
A New York state man has been arrested for getting too close to his bride on their wedding day. Police said Timothy Cole quarreled with a wedding guest at a party Friday after wedding his ex-wife in Batavia.
Officers knew the 45-year-old Cole from previous arrests and realized [...]
It’s Not At Antarctica Levels, But It’s Up There
August 12th, 2008, 1 Comment
Beijing provides 100,000 condoms for athletes.
The Sydney Olympics ran out. Athens doubled the number. So organisers of the Beijing Games are hoping 100,000 condoms will satisfy the needs of Olympic athletes.
While sex is not an Olympic sport it is expected to be an activity in the Beijing village housing 10,500 athletes, all of whom are [...]
Putting the Lie to Off-Shore Drilling as the Answer
August 11th, 2008, 18 Comments
Our refineries are exporting 1.6 million barrels of refined petroleum products every day.
While the U.S. oil industry wants access to more federal lands to help reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, American-based companies are shipping record amounts of gasoline and diesel fuel to other countries.
A record 1.6 million barrels a day in U.S. refined [...]
How We Roll in Sactown
August 11th, 2008, No Comments
You come strong, or you don't come at all. State Senator Pat Wiggins is not reaching out for black voters, apparently.
So, an argument for or against term limits?
Sorry, Son, That Was Meant for Mom
August 11th, 2008, 4 Comments
Father accused of fracturing son's skull.
A Sheboygan man is accused of fracturing the skull of his one-year-old son with a toy guitar while beating his wife.
The 24-year-old man told police he accidentally struck his son while beating his wife with the guitar Saturday.
Kobe to Italy?
August 8th, 2008, No Comments
For $50 million? I doubt it, but maybe he felt like ruffling some feathers a la Bron-Bron:
When asked by The Boston Globe about a report that LeBron James would strongly consider playing in Europe for $50 million for one season when he becomes a free agent in two years, Bryant said he would take [...]
Pawlenty gets national love
August 8th, 2008, 10 Comments
The Minny governor gets some serious face time in the Paper of Record today.
Or rather, he jokes about not getting any. The lead paragraph:
As is his way, Gov. Tim Pawlenty made a self-deprecating aside on a local radio show this spring during the ceremonial start of the state’s beloved fishing season. He praised his wife’s [...]
Great Days in Presidential History
August 8th, 2008, 3 Comments
On this date in history:
--1968: Richard Nixon was nominated for president by the Republican convention
--1973: VP Spiro Agnew "branded as `damned lies' reports he had taken kickbacks from government contracts in Maryland and vowed not to resign." He resigned October 10 after pleading nolo contendre to tax evasion and money laundering charges in a plea [...]
Tribunal Smackdown
August 8th, 2008, 6 Comments
Wow. Raise your hand if you saw this coming. Military jury sentences Hamdan to 5 1/2 years and gives credit for time served in Guantanamo. He's eligible for release in less than five months, which would be (SHOCK!) about the time a new administration comes into office.
"I hope the day comes that you return [...]
Rays Acquire Bullpen Help from O’s
August 7th, 2008, 6 Comments
ESPN:
The first-place Tampa Bay Rays acquired reliever Chad Bradford from the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, bolstering their bullpen with a proven postseason pitcher.
The Rays claimed the submarining right-hander on waivers and then got him from the Orioles in a trade for a player to be named.
The 33-year-old Bradford is 3-3 with a 2.45 ERA this [...]
In Which Gardy’s Abuse of the Mayor Is Explained
August 6th, 2008, 2 Comments
According to The Google, "Guerrier" means "warrior" in French.
Storm Clouds on the Horizon for the NBA
August 6th, 2008, 17 Comments
ESPN: LeBron James would consider European offer of $50M a year or more. No team in the NBA can pay that kind of salary to James because of the maximum salary rules. If James bolts to Europe it would be a catastrophic loss for the league.
Ron Suskind is glad not to be Solzhenitsyn
August 5th, 2008, 11 Comments
otherwise, he'd be hanging by his thumbs in a Gulag right about now. Am I the only one who was listening to his interview this morning on NPR's Morning Edition?
Sure, he's shilling a new book. But wow. Accusing the W.H. of ordering the CIA in 2003 to fabricate and back-date to 2001 an incriminating letter [...]
Don’t Listen to Idiots Like Gene Wojiechowski and Peter King
August 5th, 2008, 3 Comments
I linked to a couple of football stories from those two numbnuts yesterday and they were acting like the Favre thing was resolved and were falling all over themselves praising Roger Goodell for his role in resolving the dispute. I wasn't buying that shit at all.
Favre today:
We're at a stalemate. Mike and I both [...]
Independent blogs driving edgier coverage
August 5th, 2008, No Comments
Anoint my eyes with Clorox...That's funny stuff. Link
In Which Peter King Forgets about Tony Romo’s Girlfriends
August 4th, 2008, 1 Comment
Peter, Peter, Peter. Doesn't the name Jessica Simpson and her pink #8 jersey ring a bell? Am I dreaming, or did his little girlfriend become a major distraction for the Cowboys last year?
There's a reason, even if you hate the Cowboys, that you should admire Tony Romo. It's because he gets it. He cares [...]
Apparently, Wojciechowski Hasn’t Heard the Trade Rumors
August 4th, 2008, No Comments
ESPN columnist writes a Brett Favre story that seems to think that the only option is that Brett Favre will play in Green Bay. And what's with the love for the Commissioner's "decision" to reinstate Brett Favre? He had no choice but to reinstate him.
Skip Caray dies
August 3rd, 2008, 2 Comments
Wow, I remember listening to Skip on TBS. Sixty-nine is far too young to die.
ESPN - Skip Caray dies; spent three-plus decades calling Braves games - MLB
